1
: an ostinato phrase (as in jazz) typically supporting a solo improvisation
also
: a piece based on such a phrase
2
: a rapid energetic often improvised verbal outpouring
especially
: one that is part of a comic performance
3
: a succinct usually witty comment
4
: a distinct variation : take
a disturbing … riff on the Cinderella story—
Daria Donnelly
riffed; riffing; riffs
: to perform, deliver, or make use of a riff
Examples of riff in a Sentence
Noun
He stole that riff from another song.
a mock news program with humorous riffs on current events
Recent Examples on the Web
Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 18 Feb. 2025
Here is my riff on this traditional, labor-intensive cake.
—Randy Graham, Orange County Register, 18 Feb. 2025
Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 19 Feb. 2025
Some of the lines riffed on those in the audience — such as Steven Spielberg.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riff
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Noun
The Game of Thrones TV show, which premiered in 2011, provided material for riffs on real-world politics in political opinion columns and social media memes.
—Verb
Back at Bar Mercer, Gutfeld happily riffs on a trio of TV anchors who are now without a network.
—Cite this Entry
“Riff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riff. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
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